Lipinski, 43, who is serving his third term in Congress, had pledged a "no" vote if the measure included provisions that he believes will provide funding for abortions.

He did not take part in a news conference Sunday in which the leading anti-abortion Democrat, Bart Stupak of Michigan, announced a compromise that allowed Stupak and some other abortion opponents to sign off on the legislation.

When the House last took up health care reform Nov. 7, the Illinois delegation split along party lines, with every Democrat voting "yes," and every Republican saying "no."

Schakowsky said Sunday that the voting would answer the moral question of whether a "proud and wealthy country like ours has an ethical obligation to provide health care access to everybody."

But Roskam decried what he termed "PelosiCare," a reference to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

He said passage would cost Caterpillar Inc., the manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, $100 million next year. "Just because it's historic doesn't mean it's good," he said.

After voting, Lipinski issued a statement saying: "As I have said many times, I strongly believe reform is needed to lower soaring health care costs and make insurance coverage more affordable and accessible for individuals and working families. But reform must be done right."

He identified several areas of concern, including the abortion issue and his belief that the bill "is not fiscally sustainable over the long term."

Gutierrez had planned to vote against the bill until he received White House assurances that his key issue of immigration reform would soon be addressed.

"Once I understood there would be a renewal around comprehensive immigration, I said OK, I accomplished my goal," Gutierrez said.

Kirk, in a statement after the vote, said: "In the teeth of the Great Recession, this legislation puts thousands of Illinois jobs at risk and stalls an economic recovery."-- Katherine Skiba